Internships are a valuable opportunity for students to gain practical experience and develop skills that will be beneficial in their future careers. While not mandatory, internships are highly encouraged by KTU (Kerala Technological University), and many companies prefer candidates with internship experience. This guide will explain everything you need to know about internships, activity credits, and related topics for KTU students.
What is an Internship?
An internship is a short-term work experience, often ranging from 1 week to 12 months, offered by companies and organizations to provide hands-on experience in a particular field. Internships can be paid, unpaid, or may require you to pay a fee to the organization.
How Do Internships Differ From Jobs?
In a job, you are paid a salary and use your existing skills, while in an internship you work temporarily to gain new skills and experience. Internships are not part of the KTU curriculum but are encouraged for career development.
KTU Internship Guidelines
KTU has established specific guidelines for internships to ensure that students receive a meaningful and enriching experience. The key points to note are as follows:
- Internship Duration: The minimum internship duration is 5 full days.
- Internship Credits: Students can earn up to 20 activity points for completing an internship. These activity points contribute to the overall credits required for graduation.
- Internship Documentation: Students are required to maintain proper documentation of their internship experience, including a detailed internship report and a certificate of completion from the internship organization.
KTU Internship Opportunities
KTU facilitates internship opportunities for students through various channels, including:
- KTU Internship Portal: The university maintains an online internship portal where students can browse and apply for internship positions offered by various companies and organizations.
- Industry Collaborations: KTU has established partnerships with numerous industries to provide internship opportunities for its students.
- Student Initiatives: Students can also actively seek out internship opportunities through their own initiative, such as networking with professionals or contacting companies directly.
Understanding Activity Points and Credits in KTU
In addition to academic credits, KTU students need to earn 2 additional activity credits to complete their B.Tech program. These activity credits, equivalent to 100 points, are earned through extracurricular activities. It’s important to note that 1 credit equals 50 points and these activity credits do not count towards your GPA.
- Total Credits Required for B.Tech Completion: To complete the B.Tech program, you need a minimum of 182 credits. This includes 180 academic credits and 2 activity credits (100 points). These activity credits provide exposure beyond academics and are crucial for holistic development.
- Activities That Earn Credit Points: Various activities such as internships, industrial visits, sports, NSS, IEEE, hackathons, projects, volunteering, etc., provide activity points. An internship of at least 5 days duration can earn you a maximum of 20 points, while industrial visits can give a maximum of 10 points (5 each).
Finding Good Internship Opportunities
Good companies rarely advertise internships publicly. Hence, it’s recommended to directly contact companies you’re interested in, call their HR department, and inquire about internship opportunities. Also, make sure to develop in-demand skills beforehand and start your search before the semester begins.
Ideal Time for an Internship: It’s best to undertake internships during semester breaks to avoid any interference with your academics. However, you can choose to do them at any time that fits your schedule.
Paid vs Unpaid Internships: Paid internships are recommended over unpaid ones or those requiring you to pay a fee. Unpaid internships exploit free labor while paying for one means working for free!
Also Read: Interview Questions for Fresher Civil Engineers
Alternatives to Internships
While internships are beneficial, they are not compulsory. You can earn credits through other activities like sports, projects, volunteering, etc. The key is to participate actively and gain exposure.
We hope this guide helps you understand internships and activity credits for your KTU B.Tech program. If you have any other questions, feel free to comment below!